2014 Standings

East St. John will try to force Tigers to rely on passing game

Hahnvilleís rushing attack was the key against Terrebonne as both Todge Scott and Lynn Simmons rushed for more than 100 yards.

The Hahnville Tigers will take on the East St. John Wildcats for the teamís homecoming game this Friday. Hahnville (3-3, 2-1) is coming off a big 22-7 win over Terrebonne that they grinded out in the rain and mud.

In that game, Hahnville had two running backs - Todge Scott and Lynn Simmons - rush for over 100 yards and each scored a touchdown.

Following last week’s performance, Hahnville head coach Lou Valdin said he expects East St. John (3-3, 3-0) will try to box in Hahnville’s rushing attack.

"Right off the bat I’m assuming they’ll try to take away the run. That’s what I’d do if I was playing Hahnville," he said.

While Hahnville had a prolific rushing game against Terrebonne, their passing game was non-existent. Valdin said that will have to change if they expect to have success.

"It is no secret that they want to make us try to throw the football," he said. "They are going to man up on our receivers and pack them in the box. For us to win we’ve got to throw the football and catch. And we’ve got to protect the quarterback."

According to Valdin, East St. John has one of the better defenses Hahnville will face this year.

"Their defensive line is really good. They’ve got a Tulane commitment and then the other three guys are real good. They are as good a line as we play all year," Valdin said. "Their secondary is very good and they are not afraid to play man-to-man and blitz."

East St. John’s offense is led by Xavier Lewis, a wide receiver turned quarterback who only two weeks ago versus H.L. Bourgeois rushed for a touchdown, passed for a touchdown, caught a touchdown and ran a punt back for a touchdown.

Valdin said his defense will have to contain Lewis.

"They run a lot more than they throw, primarily because their best player is a quarterback, who can run" he said. "We’ve got to make them one dimensional. We’ve got to take away the option, which is what they do best."

In any event, Valdin said he believes East St. John will be a tough team to beat.

"They are a good football team. They played a very tough pre-district schedule but it seems like they are peaking at the right time," he said. "They are very athletic on both sides of the ball and are playing with more confidence every week."

Hahnville will take on East St. John at home on Friday with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.